The new Hobbs Pirates were led by Manager Al Kubski and were as solid of a team as
had ever taken the field at Bender Park. The Pirates featured future MLB OF Jose
Vidal. Vidal would hit .342 with 17 HRs & 81 RBI in 93 games… almost an RBI
a game. He would help lead the Hobbs Pirates to a 2nd place finish with a 70-58
record, 6 games behind 1st. The Pirates would take on Alpine Cowboys in the playoffs
and in 3 games, bring back their 2nd title to Bender Park. The team would
play even better in 1961. Pitcher Gary Waslewski would go 12-7 with a 4.10 ERA
on his way to playing for the Expos, Yankees and Red Sox. It was the shortstop
however who would become the best player in Hobbs.